June 30, 2012

Carter will be back with the Mavs

The Mavs exercised their rights and picked up a team option on a contract that will pay Carter $3.12 million next season.

"They know that I want to be back,'' Carter said Saturday night. "I love it here.''

In 61 games for the Mavs this past season, Carter averaged 10.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 25.3 minutes per game. He also shot 41.1 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from three-point range and started 40 games for Dallas.

Carter played in Dirk Nowitzki's Heroes Celebrity Baseball Game at Dr Pepper Ballpark on Saturday night. He said his support for Nowitzki in this charity event is a by-product of why he would be thrilled if he could finish his career with the Mavs.

"Dirk's a great guy and I support guys wo are doing great in the community,'' Carter said. "Alongside that, I enjoy Dallas.

"I'm a Southern boy. This is just like home -- the South -- so it's great to be here.''

Carter also said it would be great if the Mavs can make their free agent wish come true and sign Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams.

"He's a great talent with a lot of ability,'' Carter said. "You put somebody like this on a team that we have now and we can go very far.''

As far as the celebrity game goes, Carter made a circus catch in left field and looked like a natural with the baseball bat.

"First of all everybody had a good time and nobody got hurt,'' Carter said. "But other than that, I had a great time.

"That's what it's all about. Guys coming together for a good cause and having a great time doing it.''